Claire Thompson
Boiled chicken and rice is a popular dish for dogs and is often recommended by veterinarians to help with digestive issues such as upset stomachs, vomiting, and diarrhea. It is a simple and nutritious meal that can be easily made at home. The recipe typically involves boiling chicken breasts in water or chicken broth and then cooking rice in the leftover broth or plain water. The chicken and rice are then mixed together and served to the dog, sometimes with added vegetables or other ingredients. This dish is designed to be easy to digest and can help soothe a dog's stomach while providing essential nutrients.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Recipe Purpose | To help dogs with digestive issues like upset stomach, diarrhea, vomiting, or surgery recovery |
| Ingredients | Chicken, rice, water, vegetables (optional) |
| Rice Type | White rice is recommended for upset stomachs as it is easily digestible; brown rice is a lower-glycemic food with more fiber but takes longer to cook |
| Chicken Preparation | Boil chicken breasts in water or chicken broth for 10-30 minutes until cooked through; remove bones, skin, and fat; shred or cube the chicken |
| Rice Preparation | Rinse rice multiple times until water is clear; boil rice in water or chicken broth for 10-25 minutes until tender and water is absorbed; fluff rice with a fork and let it cool |
| Serving | Mix chicken and rice in a 2:1 or 1:2 ratio; add a splash of unsalted broth or water for hydration and flavor; serve at room temperature |
| Storage | Refrigerate for up to 5 days or freeze in individual portions |
| Notes | Consult a veterinarian before feeding; chicken and rice lack essential nutrients for long-term feeding; do not add salt, butter, or seasonings |
What You'll Learn
Preparing the chicken
Next, you'll want to boil the chicken. Place the chicken in a large pot or saucepan and cover it with water or chicken broth. You can also use a mixture of water and chicken broth. Bring the liquid to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer. The chicken is cooked when it is white all the way through and has an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. This should take anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes, depending on the size and type of chicken.
Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the broth and let it cool. You can then shred or dice the chicken into small, bite-sized pieces. You can also reuse the chicken broth to cook the rice if you want to add extra flavour to the dish.
If you're feeding your dog chicken and rice due to an upset stomach, it's recommended to use white rice instead of brown rice as it is easier to digest. White rice is also recommended for dogs recovering from diarrhoea. However, if your dog is generally healthy, brown rice is a more nutritious option.
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Cooking the rice
When cooking rice for your dog, it's important to remember that white rice is generally easier for them to digest than brown rice. White rice is recommended for dogs with upset stomachs, while brown rice is a lower-glycemic food that keeps your dog feeling full for longer. However, it is harder to digest and is not recommended for gastrointestinal issues.
If you're using white rice, rinse 1 cup (210-225g) of it 3 times under cool water. Keep rinsing and swirling the rice until the water runs clear. This helps to remove excess starch and fibre. Next, add 2 parts water to 1 part rice and bring it to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and cover the pot. Cook the rice for 10-15 minutes, until the water is absorbed and the rice is tender.
If you're using brown rice, the cooking time will be longer, around 40-50 minutes. You can follow the same process as for white rice, but bear in mind that you'll need to cook it for longer.
Some people recommend adding chicken stock or broth to the rice instead of plain water. You can use the broth created by boiling the chicken, but make sure to skim off the fat first.
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Combining the ingredients
If you are adding vegetables, you can stir them into the skillet with the chicken stock and rice. Bring to a boil and then reduce the heat to low. Cover the skillet and simmer for 15-20 minutes, until the rice is cooked and tender. You can then stir in some additional vegetables, such as carrots and peas, until they are warmed through.
It is important to note that the type of rice you use is important. White rice is easier to digest and is recommended for dogs with upset stomachs. Brown rice, on the other hand, has more fibre and is a lower-glycemic food, meaning your dog will feel fuller for longer. However, it is not recommended for dogs with gastrointestinal issues.
Before serving, let the chicken and rice cool to room temperature. You can also refrigerate the mixture for four hours to ensure it is adequately cooled before serving.
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Portioning and storage
Portioning chicken and rice for your dog depends on the reason for feeding them this meal. If your dog is unwell, it is recommended to feed them small meals of only chicken and rice for a day or so. In this case, a 2:1 ratio of rice to chicken is a good rule of thumb. You can offer your dog this meal every two hours. If you are mixing chicken and rice with your dog's kibble, you can scale back their kibble a little to make up for the extra calories.
Chicken and rice should not be the only thing you feed your dog. It is not nutritionally complete and lacks essential nutrients, so it should only be fed occasionally to help your dog's guts feel better. If your dog is unwell, always consult your veterinarian, and take their advice first and foremost.
When storing chicken and rice, it is important to let the meal cool to room temperature before refrigerating or freezing it. If you have cooked the chicken and rice together, place the mixture in a container and create a hole in the middle; refrigerate for four hours, then cover. This step is important for food safety, allowing the meal to cool adequately before it is covered. The chicken and rice should keep fresh in your fridge for about five days. You can also freeze it in individual portions and thaw it overnight in the fridge before serving.
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When to serve
Chicken and rice is a common meal for dogs that are unwell, recovering from surgery, or have dietary issues such as an upset stomach, vomiting, or diarrhoea. It is a bland, easy-to-digest meal that can help soothe your dog's stomach and provide essential vitamins, fats, minerals, and starches.
Firstly, it is important to note that chicken and rice should not be the only meal you feed your dog. It is not nutritionally complete and lacks essential nutrients, so it should only be fed occasionally or when your dog is unwell. If your dog is ill, always consult your veterinarian before feeding them anything other than their regular food.
Chicken and rice is often recommended by veterinarians when a dog is recovering from diarrhoea, vomiting, or surgery. In these cases, it is best to withhold all food from your dog for 24 hours to give their digestive system a chance to reset. After this fasting period, you can start offering your dog small amounts of chicken and rice every two hours. This will help their stomach slowly adjust to the new food.
If your dog is not feeling well but has not been fasting, it is still best to start with a small amount of chicken and rice to ensure they can tolerate it. You can gradually increase the amount as they get used to it.
Chicken and rice can be fed to your dog until they recover from their illness or until their digestive issues improve. However, it should not be fed long-term as it is not a nutritionally complete meal. Once your dog seems to be feeling better, you can start mixing the chicken and rice with their regular dog food or kibble to transition them back to their regular diet.
Remember, chicken and rice is not a cure-all, and if your dog is lethargic, refusing all food and water, vomiting uncontrollably, or has blood in their stool, you should skip the bland diet and call your veterinarian immediately.
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Frequently asked questions
First, boil 2-3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts in water for 10-30 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through. Then, shred the chicken. Next, cook 1 cup of rice in the leftover chicken broth or plain water for 10-20 minutes, until tender. Allow the rice and chicken to cool before mixing them together in a 2:1 ratio.
White rice is best for dogs with upset stomachs as it is easily digestible and mild. Brown rice is a lower-glycemic food that will keep your dog feeling fuller for longer, but it may cause digestive issues in a sick dog. Always ask your vet which type of rice you should feed, based on your dog's health.
Yes, you can add vegetables such as carrots, peas, and parsley, but only if your dog is healthy. If your dog is unwell, a bland diet of just chicken and rice is best.
